Collapsible core for hollow concrete constructions.



G. S. BUNNELL. GOLLAPSIBLE GORE FOR HOLLOW CONCRETE GONSTRUCTIONS.

APPLIOATION FILED MAB. a, 1913.

9 1,082,999. 7 Patented De0.30,1913.

avwemto'c PH cOHWASmNGToN D c CHARLES S. BUNNELL, 'OF HAMMOND, INDIANA.

COLLAPSIBLE CORE FOR HOLLOW CONCRETE GO NSTRUCTIONS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 30, 1913.

Application filed March 8, 1913. Serial No. 753,026.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES S. BUNNELL, a. citizen of the United States, residing at Hammond, in the county of Lake and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Cores for Hollow Concrete Constructions, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in molds and more particularly to a collapsible core for hollow concrete constructions and my object is to provide a core of this character which may be quickly and readily collapsed and outspread for use when desired.

construction, is durable and inexpensive to manufacture.

Still another object of the invention resides in providing a core consisting of side wall plates formed in sections, certain of the sections of the opposite side wall plates being linked together, whereby the same may be operated simultaneously.

construction, combination and arrangement? of parts as w1ll be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device partly in section. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof showing in dotted lines the position of the parts when collapsed. Fig. 3 is an end elevation. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the device for use in positioning the core in setting up the same for use.

In describing my invention, I shall refer to the drawing in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and in which 1 and 2 indicate respectively the side wall plates, each consisting of a pair of sections, the same being respectively indicated as A and B, and C and D. The sections of each side wall plate are adapted to overlap one another at their inner opposed ends, the section B overlapping the section A and the section C overlapping the section D, and the outer ends of these sections are bent inwardly toward one another to form end walls for the core, said bent ends also overlapping one another.

The upperand lower edges of the sections of the side wall plates are bent inwardly to form the inwardly extending flanges 3 and a central frame section 4 disposed between the plates 1 and 2 is connected at its ends with the sectlons of the plates 1 and 2 by means of pairs of linking members 5. The linking members of each pair are pivoted on the 1 inwardly extending flanges 8 of the side wall plates, the linking members 5 being engaged with the upper faces of the flanges, while the linking members 6 and 7 are engaged with the under faces thereof. Fulcrumed on the frame section 4, are the levers 8 and 9 which are provided with the cross With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features ofi heads 10 and 11 respectively, the latter having one of their ends pivoted, as shown at i 12, to a section of the side wall plate 1. The opposite'end of the cross head 10 of the lever 8 is connected by means of a link or the like 13 tothe pivot point between the link 7 and the'section D of the wall plate 2, while the opposite end of the cross head 11 is similarly connected by means of the link 14 to the pivot point between the link 6 and the section C of said wall plate 2. From this construction, it will be seen that as the lever 8 is moved 'in the direction of the arrow, shown in Fig. 2, the sections A and D respectively of the wall plates 1 and 2, will be disposed inwardly toward the central frame section 4 and when the lever 9 is disposed in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 2, the sections B and C respectively of said wall plates 1 and 2 will be drawn inwardly toward one another and toward the central frame section 4. \Vhile I have only described the links connecting the upper portions of the wall plate sections with the central frame section, it will be understood that the connections between said frame section and the wall plates are similar at the bottom with the exception of the lovers and parts connected therewith.

In practice, assuming that the core member is in its set up position, should it be desired to collapse the same for removal from the construction formed, it is only necessary to dispose the levers 8 and 9 in the direction of the arrows which will, as stated above, draw the respective sections of the wall plates inwardly toward one another, thereby releasing the same of contact thereof with the concrete. The core may then be readily removed.

In positioning the core member between the walls or sides of the form in which the concrete is being placed, it is necessary to space said core equally therefrom and to this end, an inverted U-shaped member 15 is provided, the lower free ends of which are bent laterally to form the angular pieces 16. This member 15 is adapted to be hung over the core member when disposed to its set up position and the angular pieces 16 extend laterally therefrom. The distance from end to end of the angular pieces 16 being the distance between the sides or walls of the form, it will be readily appreciated that this core member may be properly positioned at an equal distance from the side walls of said form.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a simple, inexpensive and efficient means for carrying out the objects of the invention and while I have particularly described the elements best adapted to perform the functions set forth, it is obvious that various changes-in form, proportion and in the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the principles of the invention.

I have also provided a means for sup-porting the core member in position between the walls of the form and a strengthening means for the concrete construction which is formed and to this end, I provide one or more metal bars 17, the ends of which are bent upwardly at right angles thereto as shown at 18. These bars are arranged transversely of the form and the core is mounted thereon as shown in Fig. 3 of the Copies of this patent may be obtained for drawing. This member, however, from end to end, is of less width than the hollow construction which is formed and when the core is removed, this member is retained in the construction formed, the ends 18 being embedded in the spaced walls thereof. This member, therefore, forms a bracing or stiffening means for the concrete construction as well as a support for the core.

Having thus described this invention, what I claim is 1. A collapsible core for molds consisting of a pair of side wall plates, each composed of a pair of overlapping sections, the upper and lower edges of said sections being bent inwardly to form flanges, a central frame section, linking means between said frame section and the inwardly extending flanges of the sections of the side wall, levers fulcrumed on said frame section and each having connection with the sections of opposite side wall plates, whereby to dispose said sections inwardly toward one another when said levers are moved in one direction.

2. A collapsible core for molds consisting of a pair of side wall plates, each comprising a pair of overlapping sections, the upper and lower edges of said sections being bent inwardly to form flanges, a central frame section disposed between the side wall plates, linking members connecting said frame section with the inwardly extending flanges of said plate sections, levers ful crumed on said frame section and having cross heads formed at the fulcrum ends thereof, said cross heads having one of their ends engaged with the sections of the one side wall plate, additional linking members between said frame section and the sections of the opposite side wall plate, and connecting means between the opposite ends of the cross heads on said levers and the last mentioned linking members.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES S. BUNNELL.

WVitnesses: V

ZELLA IRIsH,

C. D. PALMER.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

